is a little bit like charlie brown running to kick the football and lucy pulls it away. >> listen to what the american people said in the election. listen to the fact that two out of three americans believe that the wealthiest should pay a little more, and listen to your own caucus. >> this will be savagery, full-page ads, ladies, children, veterans, simpson-bowles are doing their tricks out there. you know, hang on tight. >> oh, my. yes, hang on tight. good morning, everyone, it's monday, december 10th. oh, lord. welcome to "morning joe." with us on set, we have msnbc contributor mike barnicle, author of "the new york times" best-seller, "thomas jefferson." >> number one. >> that's amazing. it's selling off the shelves. good luck trying to get one for christmas. >> i know a guy that can get you one. >> really? who? i need a few copies. >> can i say this quickly? go ahead. >> no, at the meacham residence in music city, usa, nashville, firsthand experience on this, people knock on his front door, and he sits by the fire in a cardigan sweater. do you or don't you? and people knock on the do